[Project supported by FrenchBIC] Fangfang YANG: Targeted Supported Laccase-based Hybrid Systems for Continuous Flow Catalysis

Fangfang YANG, from the Bioscience, iSm2 (Institute Of Science Molecular De Marseille), spent six weeks in the lab of Prof. Rénal Backov, from the MaFIC (Matériaux Fonctionnels par Ingénierie Colloïdale) at CRPP UMR 5031 (Centre de recherche Paul Pascal). This project was supported by a grant from FrenchBIC.

My PhD project aims at developing new supported hybrid catalyst for cooperative oxidative transformation of alcohols. We aim at vectorizing an oxidant module represented by a transition-metal-based-catalyst at the surface and close vicinity of the active copper center of a robust laccase to perform safe dioxygen reduction into water in a cooperative mode. This hybrid catalyst will then be confined in tailor-made silica-based nanomaterials to provide new properties to the hybrid catalyst dealing with stability, selectivity, efficiency and recyclability. Our preliminary results show that laccase and transition metal complex have to be covalently bound to the foam. We have undertaken at first a random functionalization of laccase which gives good catalytic results. Based on these results we want to control this immobilization in order to better control the reactivity. Thus, it is necessary to prepare more silica foam with different shapes and surface modification. The research group of Prof. Rénal Backov have done many valuable researches in the field of design, synthesize, and study the properties and functionalities of advanced functional materials. During this period in his lab, I synthesized an amount of silica foams with controlled size as monoliths and beads and did a series of characterizations (SEM; FT-IR; Hg intrusion or gas adsorption methods). Also, I managed the functionalization of these silica foams and detected the activity of immobilized enzyme. Through this collaboration, I learned more about synthesis, functionalization and activities of silica material. I would like to thank Prof. Rénal Backov, who provided me much valuable information about my project, and also thank the FrenchBIC for the grant.

 

Fangfang YANG